SOUTHEASTERN NC — This month private well owners can test their water for contaminants at no cost thanks to a partnership between local county health departments and a Massachusetts university.
READ MORE: Brunswick residents face dried up wells, irrigation restrictions amid statewide drought
“If people are concerned about their water quality, following [Hurricane] Debby, this is a great opportunity for them to get tested,” said Kyla Drewry, PhD student from Northeastern University who is running the free testing program. Drewry connected locally with the assistance of her advisor who lived in the Cape Fear region.
The environmental engineering program at Northeastern University, located in Boston, is collaborating with the health departments of Pender and Brunswick counties to offer free well water testing for private well owners between Aug. 12 and Aug. 16.
Drewry explained Brunswick and Pender counties, along with Beaufort and Craven counties, were selected due to their proximity to potential flooding, high usage of private wells, and because of her team’s strong connections with local health departments.
She also noted research conducted by her department after Hurricane Florence revealed higher levels of contamination in certain areas of Brunswick and Pender counties.
Hurricanes can contaminate private wells through flooding, which allows surface water-carrying pollutants to seep into wells. Fecal contamination from overwhelmed sewage systems and septic tanks can also enter wells.
Additionally, strong winds and flooding can damage well infrastructure, making it easier for contaminants to infiltrate. Changes in the water table due to heavy rainfall can further spread pollutants into groundwater.
“I don’t want to scare people — it’s more about the relationship between flooding and water quality,” she said. “It’s not to say that people who live in these counties are predisposed to contamination problems, but after Florence, we did find clusters of bacteria contamination.”
Although New Hanover County was not chosen to host the program, Drewry says residents there can still get their water tested if they pick up and return the kits from the neighboring counties. The testing will screen for bacteria, inorganic materials, and metals, including total coliform, E. Coli, arsenic, and lead.
Researchers in the Northeastern environmental program have been studying private well water quality and access to testing and treatment in North Carolina for more than five years. The program is funded by NASA grants used to develop a well water surveillance platform for local health departments.
Private well owners can pick up a free testing kit from a Pender County Health Department building, 803 South Walker Street in Burgaw, or 15060 U.S. Highway 17 in Hampstead. In Brunswick County, test kits can be retrieved from the Health Services Building (Building A) at the county’s government center, 25 Courthouse Drive in Bolivia. Well owners will fill three of the provided bottles with tap water from their private well and complete a survey.
Residents should return test kits to the same locations they picked up between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Aug. 19 in Pender County and Aug. 20 in Brunswick County. Participants will receive a $10 gift card for participation as well.
Bacteria results will be available two to three days after testing, while metal results will be ready within three to four weeks. Residents will be informed of their results, through email and postal mail.
Drewry noted potential sources of metals and bacteria in well water include surface water intrusion, fecal contamination, plumbing and well infrastructure, and groundwater contamination — all commonly increasing after a high flood event or intense rain.
According to a 2022 report by the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, out of 1,614 private wells tested for lead in Pender County, 14 had levels exceeding the maximum contaminant level for drinking water. In Brunswick County, a report from the same study found 10 of 826 wells surpassed the maximum contaminant level for lead. Additionally, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and copper levels were found to exceed safe standards in wells across both counties.
Test results will also provide residents with recommendations on how to address any detected contamination. For instance, if high levels of E. coli are detected, the university will suggest disinfection methods, such as chlorination. Drewry noted in some instances, a retest may be recommended.
Pender County spokesperson Brandi Cobb told Port City Daily the county will use the summary and data from the university’s program to assess whether the contamination is widespread and to determine if further action is needed.
“If there are trends in areas with contamination problems, we will collaborate to interpret the results and determine the next steps,” Cobb said.
Private wells are not covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, which gives the EPA authority to set and enforce drinking water standards for public water systems. While the act mandates regular testing, reporting, and compliance oversight for public systems, private well owners are responsible for managing their own water quality.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health suggests private well owners test for total and fecal coliform bacteria and check the wellhead annually to ensure it is working properly and free of cracks or openings that could allow contaminants into the groundwater.
Every two years, it is recommended to test for heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites, lead, and copper. Every five years, wells should be tested for pesticides and volatile organic compounds.
Total coliform and E. coli bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhea and vomiting, with E. coli potentially leading to severe conditions like kidney failure. Arsenic exposure is linked to cancer, cardiovascular issues, and developmental problems, while lead can cause developmental and learning disabilities in children and high blood pressure and kidney damage in adults.
Drewry suggested all private well owners get their water checked after high flood events, like the current tropical storm Debby approaching the region this week.
“When these flooding events occur, contaminants on the surface can get into the groundwater,” Drewry said. “Understanding these relationships is crucial so that people know when to be cautious about their water and when it is safe to use.”
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